Travis Pflanz

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Again last week, my picks were nothing better than sub-par. That being said, the picks I gave you were much better than last week. I rolled the dice with three of my picks last week (Richards for two, Matusz and Millwood). Luckily, I went with three whose performances were not too horrible (my points H2H league does not consider hits allowed).

Also last week, if you grabbed up the Monday starter, Garrett Richards, then held on to him for two starts, he rewarded you later in the week rather than earlier.

Richards threw 8 innings with 5 strikeouts and zero earned runs and a win on Sunday.

Ya, I may be a bit crazy. It’s not that I really like Jonathan Sanchez, but there aren’t really many options on Monday. I’m actually a bit upset that another roster churner beat me out on my Sunday night claim for Sanchez. We allow 12 MLB pitcher starts per week in my H2H league and I need 4 more on my team this week.

The Astros aren’t very good at the plate and their pitching staff isn’t too good either, so I like Sanchez to get through five innings with the lead, so a win may be in his future.

I’ve spoken many times about how inept the Oakland Athetics have been at the plate and how GM Billy Beane’s “just get on base” philosophy has finally caught up to the As,since they simply are not getting on base.

Aaron Harang has been pretty hot as of late, winning two of his last three starts with a 1.89 ERA in 19 innings.

I truly cannot believe I am saying a fantasy team should roll with Vin Mazzaro, but over his last three starts, Vin has won two, with a 1.80 era over the span. As well, Mazzaro has made two of his last four starts without allowing a single run.

I’ve already discussed the Astros offense, so if Vin can make it five innings, there’s a good shot he can pull out the W.

With only six games on Thursday, there really aren’t many options… So, what the hell, let’s roll with the rookie. Is that a solid strategy? Sure! If you’re already churning and burning through starting pitchers, what is a better method than grabbing a once top-notch prospect who gets the callup?

That’s how I grabbed Garrett Richards and he’s been pretty good. If Jacob Turner performs well, you can hang on to him for a few starts, or make a deal with a position player for an offensive upgrade.

Turner is 3-3 with a 2.83ERA and 44Ks in 63.2 innings with 26walks in 11 starts between Double-A and Triple-A.

I own Garrett Richards in my H2H league. As described above, I grabbed him up when not many options were available… All he’s done since entering the rotation: 3GS, 2W, 2QS (the other was 5IP 1ER), 20IP, 13H, 2ER, 11BB, 17K, 0.90ERA, 1.20WHIP and a .191 batting average against.

Randy Wolf hasn’t been too good in 2012, but over his last three starts he has a 3.20 ERA in 19.2IP with 12 K, walking 8. Wolf has no wins over this span, but I don’t like anyone on Sunday, so I decided to go with the guys who has been the “best’ over his last few games.